However, the worst of the impacts are expected to be felt across the near continent and France, and Meteo France have named it Storm Benjamin. 

Here, for parts of England and Wales, yellow National Severe Weather Warnings for rain and wind are in place, highlighting the potential for disruption to travel, coastal impacts, and localised flooding in some areas. Conditions are expected to turn cooler for the weekend. 

Chief Meteorologist, Rebekah Hicks said: “Low pressure moving across the south of the UK tomorrow will bring both a spell of heavy rain and areas of strong winds. 

“The rain is expected to arrive from the southwest this evening, before spreading northeast to many parts of England and Wales during Thursday, leading to difficult driving conditions and the risk of flooding in a few places. At the same time, winds are expected to pick up along southern coastal areas.  

“However, it is not until Thursday morning that significantly strong north-westerly winds will first begin to affect parts of the west with gusts of 45 to 55 mph, locally 55mph around coasts expected. At the same time, northerly winds are expected to develop more widely across eastern areas, with gusts of 50-60 mph fairly widely and up to 70 mph near some coasts. Should Storm Benjamin be at the stronger end of expectations, there is a small chance of wind gusts very locally exceeding 70 mph for a time.

“It is worth noting that there is a greater than usual uncertainty surrounding the track and intensity of this low-pressure system, so the public should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings as the situation evolves, with adjustments to the forecasts likely at short notice." 

Away from the warning areas Thursday will be a day of sunny spells and blustery showers, these sometimes merging into longer spells of rain. Temperatures will be a little below average, but it will feel rather cold with brisk winds for most.

Further ahead 

Friday will be a day of sunny spells and heavy, blustery showers for many. These will gradually ease later in the day, although winds will remain strong, with coastal gales likely, particularly in the east and northeast. 

It will turn colder over the weekend as an Arctic Maritime airmass spills southwards in the wake of Storm Benjamin. There will be a mix of sunny spells and blustery showers which are likely to be wintry over mountain tops in Scotland; this is fairly typical for this time in the year. Sunday may offer a brief window of drier and brighter conditions before rain later. 

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